Romans 11:25-36

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

God’s Program and Promises for Israel

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles is classified as a mystery.

  2. God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles is characterized by mercy.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let your study of doctrine result in doxology.

QUESTIONS

  1. God's sovereign plans for Israel have always included the fact that Israel would be temporarily set aside and the Gentiles would be brought into the place of privilege and favor. True or False?

  2. Does God make promises and then take them back?

  3. What does the word "mystery" mean as used in the Bible?

  4. God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles is characterized by mercy. How is this shown to both?

  5. Is mercy dependent on some kind of merit on the part of either the Jews or the Gentiles?

  6. How long will Israel be set aside?

ANSWERS

  1. True. Israel has been set aside temporarily, but Israel will return to the Lord in the future.

  2. No. Israel is God's elect and beloved, and the gifts and calling are irrevocable.

  3. Mystery is truth concealed in the Old Testament, but now revealed in the New Testament.

  4. God's plans in setting aside Israel temporarily to bring in the Gentiles involves mercy. God's plans for showing favor to Israel again involves mercy.

  5. No. Nothing could have been done by either to incur God's mercy.

  6. Until the church is raptured out of this world. Then God will focus on Israel and they will become again the favored people.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. How would you answer someone who asked you, "What are God's plans and program for the Jewish people?"

  2. How would you answer the question, "If God has set aside His elect, the Jewish people, might He not turn His back on me, a Christian?"

CHALLENGE

  1. Paul concludes this great chapter with a doxology of praise. It is the conclusion of the doctrinal division of Romans chapters 1-11. Do you respond, like Paul, in a burst of praise when you realize God's wonderful plan of salvation and the doctrine of election?

KEY VERSES

  • "I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery...that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." Romans 11:25

  • "All Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion...for this is My covenant with them..." Romans 11:26-27

  • The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29

  • "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out." Romans 11:33



Romans, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsRomans 11:25-36